Independent Living Resources

Independent Living Resources ILR is committed to community diversity through advocacy, choice and education.

The history of Independent Living is closely tied to the civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s. Basic human rights of people with disabilities were not being met- accessible housing, equal access to education & transportation; as well as employment. Today there are over 600 Independent Living (IL) Centers throughout the US that practice the cross disability philosophy: the belief that all people with disabilities share a common thread that brings them together. Centers are private not-for-profit organizations that are run by and for persons with disabilities.

02/20/2026

Due to weather, we are only available via appointment this afternoon. We will not be able to accept walk ins. Please call 608-787-1111 for any needs.

Thank you! Stay safe and dry!

ADVOCACY ALERT: Action Needed on AB 598 (Admissions Consent Bill)This Tuesday, February 17th, the full State Assembly wi...
02/17/2026

ADVOCACY ALERT: Action Needed on AB 598 (Admissions Consent Bill)

This Tuesday, February 17th, the full State Assembly will vote on AB 598, formerly the Patient’s Representative bill—now renamed Admissions Consent.

A broad coalition of legal, aging, and disability advocates warned legislators back in November that this bill raises serious concerns. AB 598 would give Wisconsin the broadest “Next of Kin”-style powers in the nation to a person chosen by the hospital, not by the patient.

Here’s what the bill does:
🔹 Allows hospitals to pick a Patient’s Representative when someone temporarily can’t make medical decisions—based on a statutory list. Some exclusions exist (e.g., estranged family, known abusers, spouses in divorce proceedings), but hospitals still hold the selection power.
🔹 Grants the Patient’s Representative sweeping authority over a person’s medical decisions, living arrangements, and finances — without court oversight.
There is no requirement for accounting how money is spent and no clear way to remove a representative who is acting improperly.
🔹 Allows this authority to continue indefinitely, even after the patient might regain capacity or if a Power of Attorney or guardianship already exists.
🔹 Creates verification problems. There is no statewide system to confirm whether someone is a Patient’s Representative, if their authority is still valid, or if it should end.
🔹 Creates conflicts with existing financial decision-makers like POA-Finance, Conservators, Guardians of Estate, or joint account holders—with no guidance on how conflicts are resolved.
🔹 Does not require re-evaluation to determine if the patient has regained the ability to make their own decisions—making it difficult for individuals to have their rights restored.
🔹 Fails to explain what happens if a Patient’s Representative dies, becomes incapacitated, or wants to step down.
🔹 Provides no data collection, meaning the public will have no insight into how often hospitals use Patient Representatives, whether they are used to speed discharges, or whether any abuse occurs.

Advocates are hearing that a third amendment may be introduced, but no language has been released, and none of the known concerns have been addressed.

***What YOU Can Do***
Your legislators need to hear from you before they vote.
📞 Contact your State Senator and State Assembly Representative to share your thoughts on AB 598. (https://legis.wisconsin.gov/)
✍️ Contact the Governor so he knows where you stand if the bill reaches his desk. (https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/Connect.aspx)

Your voice matters. Let’s work together to protect the rights and safety of Wisconsin residents.

02/12/2026

Disability Advocacy Day is back in person — and registration is officially open!

Join us and other advocates from across the state in Madison on Thursday, March 19th to connect, build community, and meet with your elected officials. This is a powerful opportunity to share your story and educate legislators about disability rights.

Registration is free but required. Be sure to sign up by March 2nd!

Register here: https://bit.ly/DAD2026
Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/DAD2026Span

Assistive Technology is a vital support for many people with disabilities, and the era of 3D printing has made it possib...
02/11/2026

Assistive Technology is a vital support for many people with disabilities, and the era of 3D printing has made it possible to create an array of AT items right in your own home (or office)! ILR staff are having a great time learning about the endless AT possibilities the 3D printer could create!

Photo: Independent Living Specialist Dana learning to use the 3D printer.

Sharing an event from our friends at DREAM-Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring!DREAM Presents: Emily L...
02/10/2026

Sharing an event from our friends at DREAM-Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring!

DREAM Presents: Emily Ladau
Author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
When: March 10th
Time: 5:30–6:30 PM
Location: UWL Student Union – The Bluffs

Accessibility Information:
Live captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided.
If you need any additional accommodations to ensure full access, please contact:
Andrew Ives
aives@uwlax.edu
(608) 785‑6902
Please reach out at least 5 days before the event.

Donation available:2 electric recliners and 2 lift recliners (only two of these shown below)Items located in La Crosse C...
02/06/2026

Donation available:

2 electric recliners and 2 lift recliners (only two of these shown below)

Items located in La Crosse County. Call our front desk at 608-787-1111 if interested and we can help to connect you and the donor. We may not respond timely to comments on this post, please call for assistance.

Check out this local program put on by our friends at the Viroqua Library!Free Community Program on Transportation Optio...
02/01/2026

Check out this local program put on by our friends at the Viroqua Library!

Free Community Program on Transportation Options! 🚐🚕🚌
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 2:15–3:15 PM
📍 McIntosh Memorial Library – Lobby
205 South Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI

Looking to learn more about local transportation services? Stop by the library for a one‑hour session featuring helpful info from local experts:
🚍 Amanda Running – Overview of the SMRT bus and Viroqua taxi
🚐 Amy Emerson – Transportation options available through the ADRC, including the ADRC bus
🤝 Kris Markert – Transportation services offered by Helping Hands

This event is FREE and open to everyone—no registration required! Just meet us at the library.

📞 Questions? Call 608‑637‑7151
📅 Add it to your calendar and bring a friend!
Let’s keep our community connected! 💚

Electric wheel chair available as donation. Located in La Crosse County. Please contact us if you're interested! 608-787...
01/30/2026

Electric wheel chair available as donation. Located in La Crosse County. Please contact us if you're interested! 608-787-1111 or advocacy@ilresources.org

🌟 Transit Equity Days 2026 – Let’s Celebrate and Take Action! 🌟For the past eight years, the Labor Network for Sustainab...
01/29/2026

🌟 Transit Equity Days 2026 – Let’s Celebrate and Take Action! 🌟

For the past eight years, the Labor Network for Sustainability has lifted up accessible, sustainable public transportation as a civil right every February 4th, Rosa Parks’ birthday. 🚍✊
Learn more about their national work on their website: https://www.labor4sustainability.org/transportation/transit-equity-2025/

Here in La Crosse, we’ve been celebrating Transit Equity Days since 2020—and we’re excited for another great year! Please share the flyer, online or in print, and help spread the word!

More info can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iauytpuHDxorJgGsA-y4M4PV1W2R5SV2J9903-U8Stw/edit?tab=t.0

FREE Durable Medical Equipment! Help us empty our DME closet! We have plenty of re-use items available to anyone in need...
01/29/2026

FREE Durable Medical Equipment! Help us empty our DME closet! We have plenty of re-use items available to anyone in need. Items such as:

- Toilet Rails
- Commodes
- Bed Rails
- Walkers
- Positioning pillows/seating
- Canes
- Crutches
- AND MORE

If you're not sure if we have it, we just might! Go ahead and give us a call 608-787-1111 to claim any items. First come first serve.

01/28/2026

HCCC is working to secure funding to provide rice and essential items to support our most vulnerable community members during this difficult time. Please consider supporting or sharing this message.

Thank you for standing with our community. 💙

Challenging youth in Juneau County to disability trivia today!Thanks ADRC of Eagle Country Juneau County Office for orga...
01/27/2026

Challenging youth in Juneau County to disability trivia today!

Thanks ADRC of Eagle Country Juneau County Office for organizing this County Communities on Transition event!

Address

4439 Mormon Coulee Road
La Crosse, WI
54601

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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